YouTube SEO for Coaches: The Exact 7-Step Workflow to Rank Your Videos in 2025

What if every video you uploaded ranked on page one for your target search term? Here’s your no-fluff 7-step SEO workflow to make that happen.

1. Keyword Research & Validation

• What to do: Use TubeBuddy or vidIQ to find coach-related keywords with medium volume and low competition.

• How: Enter seed terms like “business coach tips” and note 5–7 long-tail phrases.

2. Craft Click-Worth Title

• What to do: Include the primary keyword within the first 60 characters and add a benefit:

  • “Business Coach Tips: 5 Ways to Book More Clients”

• Why: Balances SEO and click appeal.

3. Optimize Description Structure

• What to do:

  • First 125 characters: keyword + value hook

  • Next 200 words: summary of steps + links to resources

  • End: 2–3 related video links (to boost session watch time)

• Why: YouTube indexes description text—structure helps crawlers and viewers.

4. Tag Your Video Strategically

• What to do:

  • Primary tag: exact keyword

  • 4–6 secondary tags: long-tail and related terms

  • 2–3 competitor channel names for association

• Why: Tags help YouTube understand context and surface your video in related searches.

5. Add Captions & Chapters

• What to do: Upload an SRT file or auto-generate captions, then manually refine.

• Chapters: Add time-stamped headings for each major section.

• Why: Improves accessibility, watch time, and SEO.

6. Place in Relevant Playlists

• What to do: Add your video to the playlist matching its theme. Use the first playlist slot for maximum impact.

• Why: Playlists boost session duration and topical authority.

7. Monitor & Iterate

• What to do: After 72 hours, review:

  • Search Traffic (YouTube Analytics)

  • Click-Through Rate (impressions→views)

  • Average View Duration

• Action: A/B test thumbnails or tweak titles on underperforming videos.

Closing & Next Steps

Run this workflow for your next video and watch your “Search” traffic climb. Up next: “Click-Worthy YouTube Thumbnails & Titles: Boost Your CTR by 30%.”